Active clinical trials for "Schistosomiasis"

NIDIAG is an international collaboration on integrated diagnosis-treatment platforms, funded by the European Commission (EC). NIDIAG aims to develop an improved, patient-centred system for delivering primary health care in resource-constrained settings. NIDIAG will investigate three clinical syndromes, namely (i) persistent digestive disorders, (ii) persistent fever and (iii) neurological disorders, due to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The current study focuses on persistent digestive disorders, which are defined as diarrhoea or abdominal pain that last for at least 2 weeks. While acute diarrhoea has been studied globally, few research activities have focused on the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of long-lasting diarrhoeal episodes (2 weeks and longer) in the tropics. The spectrum of possibly involved pathogens includes more than 30 bacterial, parasitic and viral infectious agents. This lack of data may be explained by the fact that people suffering from NTDs might only seek care at a late stage of the disease. Furthermore, health systems in affected regions are often weak and their primary health-care centres are often under-staffed and lack essential diagnostic equipment. The hypothesis of this study is that development of an evidence-based syndromic approach can lead to better diagnosis and management of NTDs in patients with persistent digestive disorders. The study will be carried out in two West African countries (Côte d'Ivoire and Mali) and in two Asian countries (Indonesia and Nepal). The study will follow a "case-control" design and patients and controls will be prospectively enrolled. In order to address the knowledge gaps, three specific objectives will be pursued. First, the contribution of NTDs to the 'persistent digestive disorders syndrome' will be assessed. Second, the value of clinical features and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for the diagnosis of target NTDs that give rise to persistent digestive disorders will be determined. Third, the clinical response to standard empiric and targeted treatment of several NTDs in patients with persistent digestive disorders will be evaluated. These objectives will provide a long-term benefit for the communities by improving the clinical decision-making process for the target NTDs and thus, better diagnostic work-up and patient management can be achieved in the study countries and other similar resource-constrained countries

Prospective cross-sectional study at the outpatient clinic (OPC) of the Bagamoyo District Hospital (BDH) in Tanzania. Assessment of basic epidemiological data (Point prevalence and risk factors) on CKD with simple clinical, laboratory tests and the patients history. After informed consent blood samples are taken for complete blood count, serum creatinine, HbA1c, HIV-Screening, and urine samples for dipstick, urine sediment, and albumin-creatinine ratio. Further, office blood pressure, weight and height are taken. Further, patients history are asked by a questionnaire (i.e.history of infectious and cardiovascular diseases and basic demographic data: i.e. sex, age). CKD is defined as the presence of either impaired kidney function and/or albuminuria based on a one-time measurement. Primary outcome of the study are prevalence rates of CKD and the impact of non-communicable and communicable disorders on CKD.

Schistosomiasis is a major public health issue. Clinical guidelines for the management of imported schistosomiasis are heterogeneous. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical management of schistosomiasis imported cases in France, regarding diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Schistosomiasis is increasingly encountered among travellers returning from the tropics and is known for its focal endemicity, associated with the presence of the snail intermediate host in fresh water. Because schistosomiasis in travellers is often atypical or asymptomatic due to the low intensity of infection, many infections likely go undiagnosed and will develop into chronic schistosomiasis. Conventional treatment of schistosomiasis in travellers with praziquantel 40mg/kg daily dose is known for its modest success rate. Diagnosis of schistosomiasis relies on egg detection, which has a poor sensitivity in low burden infections, or serology, which is inadequate to monitor cure. The department of parasitology of the Leiden University Medical Center has developed a novel diagnostic test based on the up-converting phosphor technology (UCP) to detect circulating anodic antigen (CAA). This test can be performed on serum and urine to detect low intensity schistosomiasis infections and confirm cure after praziquantel treatment. This study will assess the performance of UCP-CAA in travellers with high-risk water contact.

A longitudinal study on immune responses in relation to protection against clinical malaria episodes will be conducted in Apac District, Uganda. Three cohorts will be recruited: children 1 to 5 years of age (n=250), children 6 to 10 years of age (n=125) and adults 25 and above (n=125). After finger prick sampling (~300µL) and examination at enrolment, participants will be followed up for one year. Follow-up will include fortnightly active case detection and three-monthly cross-sectional surveys. Clinical malaria attacks and the associated clinical and parasitological parameters will be related to immunological profiles determined utilizing a protein microarray as a capture substratum to profile the humoral immune response against a vast number of parasite antigens. For individuals who experience a clinical malaria attack or who are diagnosed with high density parasitaemia (≥15,000 parasites/µL) during cross-sectional surveys, a 5mL blood sample is obtained to determine the diversity of parasite antigens in the population in relation to antigen recognition in the cohort.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of a urine test strip in diagnose schistosoma mansoni in areas of Kenya where the rate of infections are low. The hypothesis is that the urine strip test is a superior tool to the conventional parasitological tools used to diagnose schistosomiasis mansoni infections in area where there is low transmission

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent of schistosomasis infections in women and children, their daily activites that encumber contact with water and their knowledge and attitudes towards the prevention of schistosomiasis. The hypothesis that will be explored is that women and children spent more time with agricultural and household activities which bring them in contact with water and therefore give them an increased risk of being infected by schistosoma. Prevention and control of schistosomiasis has to be focusing on women and children.

Cross-sectional study of prevalence and intensity of schistosome infection in pregnant women, follow-up into postpartum, and the association of schistosome infection with haemoglobin concentration, compared to a group of non-pregnant women.

The overall objective of this project is to examine and quantify the potential existence and impact on Praziquantel (PZQ) efficacy, of naturally occurring S. haematobium and S. bovis hybrid populations in northern Senegal. Schistosome hybrids may present vigor compared to their pure parental forms and hence, may be less sensitive to PZQ. We hypothesise that PZQ repeated treatment selects the hybrid schistosome populations.

Schistosomiasis is a poverty-related water-transmitted parasitic disease affecting more that 200 million people world wide. Infection with Schistosoma haematobium may cause Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) with pathological lesions in the female genital tract, especially the cervix. Findings indicate that FGS is a hitherto under-diagnosed illness of young women in endemic poor tropical countries, deserving further attention. A cross-sectional study from Zimbabwe indicated that the pathologic genital lesions were unchanged two years after praziquantel treatment in adult women whereas in those who had been treated with praziquantel in childhood the prevalence of genital lesions was significantly lower. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of HIV was detected in women with FGS compared to those without. The proposed project aims at achieving a better understanding of how annual distribution of praziquantel to pre- and post-pubertal schoolgirls may prevent FGS. This information can be of use in current schistosomiasis control programs in the near term resulting in improved strategies for treatment. Preventing or reducing the risk of FGS and genital lesions will lead to improved reproductive health among in women living in schistosomiasis endemic areas. Project Goal: Contribute to a reduction of the global burden of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) through improved knowledge about the prevention of gynecological lesions and through improved diagnosis of FGS.